I don’t have to tell you that electioneering season is on the way. Does it ever stop? All over our nation candidates are preparing and presenting campaign speeches that tell us why they should be elected and why the “other guy/gal” should not be elected. A year from now – if this world and this nation still exist – we will have elected a new president and a new Congress. What kind of qualities will we see in those people? Can we be sure of their personal integrity?
Did candidate “A” lie to the American people about his/her credentials? What about their honesty – their associates – their capabilities? Is their character such that we can trust them to serve every citizen in a fair, legal, ethical manner? Candidate “B” – did he cheat on his spouse, then lie about it? If so, how can we trust him to be an effective, honest, ethical leader?
During these next months as we approach these very important elections we must be looking at this question: Should integrity matter in the selection of our civic leaders? Of course it matters, and it must be a factor in choosing our leaders. The following Bible passages speak on this subject:
- “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness,” Proverbs 16:12. The use of the term “abomination” indicates God’s disgust toward corrupt and wicked political leaders.
- “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34. When our leaders ignore the simple, plain ethical standards of their oath of office, we can be sure that such attitudes will continue.
- “The God of Israel said… He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God,” 2 Samuel 23:3. No ruler can truly be wise without a proper attitude toward God, especially since “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” Proverbs 9:10. As you practice your civic duty, remember that “He that ruleth over men must be just.”
- “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!…Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink…Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” Isaiah 5:20-23. In our preparation for future elections, we must consider their qualifications for office in light of these biblical principles. If we do not do so, we will have no just ground upon which to speak forth our grievances.
- “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed,” Isaiah 10:1. That term, “grievousness” is also translated elsewhere as “iniquity…perverseness…wickedness.” Even if their “unrighteous decrees” do not have a direct effect upon us, those upon whom a direct impact is felt can “thank us” for having a “don’t care” attitude toward them.
So that we may give proper respect for these previous Bible passages, we must be willing to look at the facts, to search out and discover the truth as best we can. We have come to know that false charges may be made concerning the character of a candidate. This makes it imperative that we find the truth, that we prepare sufficiently for that day when we cast our vote for someone.
Good looks, a smooth way with words, knowledge of certain historical facts do not guarantee that the person is the best choice for the office he/she is seeking. Character – integrity – they must be a major factor in our choice, and you can’t tell a person’s character merely by appearance.
Will this task be easy? We already know it will not be easy – it will take extra effort. Is it worth it? Of course it is, for even if we do not feel the effect of a wicked ruler’s selection, our children and their children will be affected by it. Surely we can see how important that is. Plus, biblically we have a mandate to be responsible in our choices.
What if wicked men come to power in our nation? What if they make laws for which we cannot give our approval? That was a common problem for early Christians, and when such laws demanded that they violate God’s law, they responded, “We must obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:29. But when that was not the case, they were told:
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well,” 1 Peter 2:13-14.
As a nation, we will always stand at the crossroads of good and evil, righteousness and wickedness. We who serve Christ have an even bigger stake in these elections than many others, for biblical principles are also implicitly on that ballot. The sanctity of human life. Respect for God, His Word and His people. The liberty to worship as God has instructed and authorized for us. The right to preach and teach the Bible to our children and others, and to practice those precepts in our own lives.
These will always stand just over the hill during each election. Integrity must count for something in these and in all elections, for our days are beginning to sound more and more like the days of Isaiah:
“Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter,” Isaiah 59:14.
Take courage. Be awake. All is not lost – Integrity will always matter!
